Multibase arithmetic has not been part of the secondary curriculum for some time now, however, after some great CPD from La Salle I decided to introduce it to my top set year 7. Whilst they will never be examined on it, I have found it has really highlighted whether they had a procedural or conceptual understanding of something, and allowed me to really deepen their understanding of the four operations and place value, and also lead to algebraic generalisations. If you are interested in learning more check out this great blog by @mrshawthorne7
After completing grouping dots, also by @mrshawthorne7, we began counting in other bases. This was supported by using @StudyMaths' Dienes blocks. This task then gets pupils to count in other bases, convert between bases using the table. Then draws students' attention to the relationship between multiples of the base and the numeral we would use to represent it, before finally going on looking at the square of the base.
